The Gunners, who host United in the FA Cup on Friday, were reported to have enquired about taking the centre-back on loan with the intention of signing him on a permanent deal, but were knocked back by the Red Devils.

Bailly has featured in eight Premier League games this season, but only one of those appearances has come under Solskjaer.

"I think the club’s making progress, but I leave that to the right people to do that," he added. "I don’t know really how far we are away from it but hopefully we’re going to have some good news in the coming weeks."

"Obviously the plan is to go back there but it’s one of those things," he said. "I watched parts of the game against CSKA Moscow and they lost 2-1, but my job is to improve here and help the players, so that’s not very difficult. You can spend 10 or 15 mins talking to them back home."